The Department of Health (DOH) Philippines has set a new Guinness World Record by creating the largest human lung formation on Saturday, March 16, to boost awareness about tuberculosis (TB) and advocate against the disease.
In a statement, DOH said that the formation was held at Manila City's Quirino Grandstand and marked a historic milestone with over 5,596 participants, surpassing India's previous record of 5,003 in 2017.
“Our attempt to break the Guinness World Record isn't just about setting records; it’s a call to action and a show of our shared commitment to overcome the challenges posed by tuberculosis," said Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa.
"It's a movement to reshape perceptions, break stigma, and advance the global conversation on tuberculosis,” he added, emphasizing that TB remains a leading cause of death in the country despite being a curable disease.
With the theme, "Tuloy ang Bayanihan, TB ay Tuldukan" (The Bayanihan Spirit Continues, Let's End TB), the DOH emphasized that the Guinness World Record attempt attracted participants from diverse backgrounds.
From health workers to university students and community members, the event symbolized the collective effort needed to address TB effectively.
The initiative, DOH said, is aligned with President Marcos' directive to combat the TB problem comprehensively.
The event was led by the DOH in collaboration with partners such as the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the World Health Organization (WHO), the Stop TB Partnership (STBP), and the Philippines Business for Social Progress (PBSP).